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Importance of skin preparation

Skin preparation is of the utmost importance in the prevention of SSIs. The recommendation is to use a 2-percent chlorhexidine gluconate and 70-percent isopropyl alcohol solution to decolonise the skin prior to surgery. This is based on a substantial body of evidence suggesting that this is the optimal agent for pre-surgical skin antisepsis . Evidence suggests that it is the patient’s own skin that is the source of most of the pathogens involved in SSIs . Therefore, to have a greater focus on skin antisepsis may lead to a large impact on infection rates.

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Knowing the rates of SSIs

Studies have demonstrated that the incidence of SSIs varies widely between hospitals and between surgical procedures . Surgical teams that know their SSI rates can undertake measures to reduce them. This can be achieved through the implementation of basic, relatively inexpensive infection-prevention measures .

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Leadership within organisations

To be successful in ‘championing SSI reduction’, the leadership role cannot be emphasised enough. The importance of HCAI reduction, in general, has to be driven through all levels of the organisation by key players who will take the lead in fighting infection. Proper leadership is vital when developing a culture that promotes best practice and where HCAI avoidance is a priority for all staff .

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Using the right products and solutions for optimal protection

At Mölnlycke Health Care we take great pride in creating the safest possible surgical single-use solutions for the security of both patients and clinicians. Infection prevention is at the core of everything we do and we are continuously developing new products and solutions to provide even better staff and patient protection. Choosing the right products is an essential component in sustaining and developing successful infection control.

Biogel® – surgical gloves

Biogel has a superior puncture indication system for enhanced safety. Up to 97 percent of glove punctures are detected with the Biogel puncture indication system. This is a security feature that helps to minimise the risk for both patient and health care professionals from blood-borne pathogens, including HIV and hepatitis viruses. Overall, Biogel surgical gloves have the best Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) for freedom from holes on the market .

Double gloving has been found to reduce surgical cross-infection between staff and patients . Double gloving is recommended by US AORN (Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses) and the RCS (Royal College of Surgeons of England). Studies have shown that the detection of perforation during surgery was a worryingly low 37 percent with single gloves compared to 87 percent with a Biogel puncture indication system. Adding a second pair of surgical gloves significantly reduces perforations to the innermost glove, 34.7 percent for single gloves and only 3.8 percent for double gloves    .

View our range of surgical gloves

BARRIER® – Surgical staff clothing

BARRIER surgical staff clothing includes a selection of protection and comfort combinations, adapted to the varying demands of different procedures. BARRIER surgical gowns are procedure-specific products folded for easy aseptic donning. Surgical gowns not only prevent infection of the surgical wound, they also protect the operating team from liquid contamination. BARRIER surgical gowns offer different levels of protection, covering the needs of less invasive operations with fluid-repellent material through to wet surgery with breathable plastic reinforced fronts, impermeable sleeves and impermeable seams. The toughest conditions can be met with a surgical gown that is impermeable all over. BARRIER surgical gowns also have very high comfort levels thanks to the breathable and soft material.

Wearing apparel is developed to ensure both patient safety and comfort for healthcare professionals. The range of single-use scrub suits and warm-up jackets provides the comfort and quality of wearing fresh clothes every day. Single-use scrub suits contribute to hospital infection control . The clean air suits provide an effective infection barrier and reduce the flow of skin scales carrying bacteria from staff to the environment   . Our range of staff clothing also includes headwear and masks.

View our range of staff clothing

BARRIER® – surgical drapes

All BARRIER drapes are designed to contribute to patient safety by providing a barrier against microbial migration. Effective infection control is achieved through impermeable materials where needed while effective fluid control is obtained through absorption or fluid collection pouches – allowing for a drier working area. All foldings are designed for optimal aseptic handling and easy application, which also contributes to infection control. The BARRIER products also come complete with the best available service and support including both training for optimal usage and tailored supply and logistic solutions all according to your need. 

View our range of surgical drapes

HiBi® antiseptics – hand wash and whole body wash

Hands are a possible source and vehicle for transmitting microorganisms . Using HiBiScrub in combination with HiBi Liquid Hand Rub+ will provide immediate kill with an effective Scrub up and Top Up technique . This combination provides up to six hours residual effect .

The patient's skin is an important source of wound contamination   and it is important to reduce the microbial burden and hence the risk of infection. This is commonly done preoperatively with whole body washing. HiBiScrub helps to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) and hospital-acquired infections (HAIs)  . It provides instant protection and up to a six-hour residual effect . HiBiScrub is kind to skin as it contains a blend of emollients that is dermatologically tested .

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